The game in 100 words (or less): Sporting Kansas City out-played, out-manned and out-classed the Vancouver Whitecaps at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday, in the form of a more-comfortable-than-the-score-lets-on 2-1 victory, making the former one of just two teams (so far - Montreal Impact) with six points from their first two games of the 2016 MLS season. Dom Dwyer’s first-half brace, coupled with Jordan Smith’s first-half stoppage-time red card, was all Sporting KC would need for their second victory in as many weeks. Pedro Morales pulled the visitors to within a goal with a 70th-minute penalty kick, but nothing more was doing for the visitors. Despite Peter Vermes’ assertion that he wants his team to peak and reach optimal fitness during the summer months, a 2-0-0 start — against a pair of formidable Western Conference foes, no less — is a better start to 2016 than anyone could have hoped.
[ MORE: Previewing the rest of Week 2 ]
Three moments that mattered
5' — Dwyer fires SKC into the lead from waaayyy downtown — Turnovers inside your defensive half are bad. They’re even worse when Dom Dwyer is feeling himself from the opening whistle, decides to have a go from 25 yards out and bangs one in off the underside of the crossbar.
Blast off! @Ddwyer14 with the 🚀. #SKCvVAN https://t.co/gqTOa62hf4
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 13, 2016
41' — Dwyer doubles the lead after some beautiful build-up — Graham Zusi’s cross-field ball cut the Whitecaps defense to pieces, but there was still a lot of work to be done on Chance Myers’ first-time cross to the back post. It was on target, making the finish oh so easy for Dwyer’s second of the night.
One-touch goals, FTW! #SKCvVANhttps://t.co/K6KuPd1KgL
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) March 13, 2016
45+1' — Smith hacks down Zusi, sees red — There is no place in the game for tackles like this. MLS has just about reached its annual “why in the world would you think you can do that?” challenges.
[ FOLLOW: All of PST’s MLS coverage | Standings | Stats | Schedule ]
Man of the match: Dom Dwyer
Goalscorers: Dwyer (5, 41'), Morales (70' - PK)
